How to Read Eco-Friendly Pet Product Labels (And Spot Greenwashing)

You want the best for your pet and the planet. So you reach for the product with "natural," "eco-friendly," or "sustainable" on the label — and feel good about it. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: those words mean almost nothing without evidence to back them up.

Greenwashing — the practice of making misleading environmental claims — is rampant in the pet industry. A 2021 study by the European Commission found that more than half of green claims examined were vague, misleading, or unsubstantiated. The pet product market is no exception.

This guide will teach you exactly what to look for — and what to ignore — so you can shop with confidence for your dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or bird.

The Words That Actually Mean Something

Not all label language is equal. Here’s a quick breakdown:

"Organic" — Only Meaningful With Certification

In the US, the word "organic" on food and treats is only meaningful when backed by USDA Organic certification. This means ingredients were grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs, and the product was processed according to strict federal standards.

Without that certification seal, "organic" is just a marketing word. When shopping for dog or cat treats, look for the USDA Organic seal or a specific certification callout on the packaging.

At Eco Pet Pack, we make this distinction carefully: our Organic Dog Treats collection only includes products with verified organic credentials — like Ava’s Pet Palace’s USDA certified baked treats. Products that are wholesome and natural but not certified organic live in our Natural Dog Treats collection instead.

"Natural" — Useful, But Unregulated

"Natural" has no legal definition for pet products in the US. It’s a useful signal that a brand is avoiding synthetic additives, but it’s not a guarantee. The best natural products will tell you exactly what’s in them — a short, readable ingredient list with whole-food ingredients you recognize.

Lucy Loo Treats is a great example: their handmade dog treats list ingredients like peanut butter, banana, oats, and coconut oil. No mystery ingredients, no preservatives. That’s what "natural" should look like in practice. Browse natural dog treats →

"Biodegradable" — Check the Standard

Biodegradable claims are among the most abused in the pet industry, particularly for waste bags. Technically, almost everything biodegrades — eventually. What matters is how fast and under what conditions.

Look for these specific certifications on waste bags:

• ASTM D6400 — US standard for compostability in industrial composting facilities
• EN 13432 — European equivalent
• USDA Certified Biobased — confirms the percentage of bio-based (plant-derived) content

Our Dog Waste Bags collection includes both ASTM D6400 certified compostable bags and USDA Certified Biobased plant-based bags — with the certifications clearly stated.

"Cruelty-Free" and "Vegan" — Look for PETA Approval

For accessories like collars and leashes, "vegan" means no animal-derived materials (no leather, no wool). "Cruelty-free" means no animal testing. The most reliable third-party verification is PETA’s Global Beauty Without Bunnies program or similar certification.

Nina Woof, our flagship accessories partner, is PETA-approved — their vegan leather collars and leashes are crafted without any animal products and verified by a third party. Shop vegan dog collars →

Certifications Worth Trusting

Third-party certifications are the gold standard because they involve independent verification — not just a brand’s own claims. Here are the ones that matter most for pet products:

• USDA Organic — For food and treats: verified organic ingredients and processing
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) — For fabric toys and beds: organic fiber content plus responsible processing
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — Every component tested for harmful substances; great for toys and bedding
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) — For wooden toys and perches: responsibly managed forests
• ASTM D6400 / EN 13432 — For waste bags: genuine compostability
• USDA Certified Biobased — Verified plant-derived content percentage
• B Corp — Company-wide social and environmental performance standard

According to the FTC’s Green Guides, marketers should have competent and reliable scientific evidence to support environmental claims — and third-party certifications are the clearest way brands can demonstrate that evidence to consumers.

Red Flags That Signal Greenwashing

Now that you know what good looks like, here’s what to watch out for:

• Vague claims with no specifics — "eco-friendly formula" or "green ingredients" with no explanation
• Irrelevant claims — "CFC-free" (CFCs have been banned for decades — this is meaningless)
• Hidden trade-offs — A treat marketed as "organic" that contains one organic ingredient among many conventional ones
• Fake certifications — Made-up seals that look official but aren’t backed by any third party
• Overemphasis on packaging — Recyclable packaging on a product made from virgin plastic doesn’t make it sustainable

Applying This to Every Pet Category

Dogs

For treats, look for USDA Organic certification or a clean, short ingredient list. For accessories, look for PETA-approved vegan materials. For toys, look for hemp, organic cotton, or natural rubber with no synthetic dyes. For waste bags, look for ASTM D6400 or USDA Biobased certification.

Cats

Single-ingredient freeze-dried treats are among the cleanest options available — one ingredient, no additives, no guesswork. For toys, organic catnip and hemp cotton are the materials to look for.

Small Pets (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas)

For hay and bedding, "all-natural" and "food grade" are the key phrases — meaning no chemical treatments, pesticides, or artificial additives. Rabbit Hole Hay holds their products to food-safe standards, which is the bar we look for. Shop small pet supplies →

Birds

For bird nutrition, look for certified organic ingredients — especially for supplements like hemp hearts where sourcing quality directly affects efficacy. For toys and perches, untreated natural wood is the safest choice.

The Bottom Line

Reading eco-friendly pet product labels doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Focus on three things: specific certifications from recognized third parties, transparent ingredient or material lists, and brands that can explain why their products are sustainable — not just that they are.

At Eco Pet Pack, every product in our store has been evaluated against these standards. We’re selective by design — because your pet and the planet deserve better than a green sticker on a conventional product.

→ Read our pillar guide: Why Choose Eco-Friendly Pet Products?
→ Shop all eco-friendly pet products at Eco Pet Pack